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Proyecto: „More room for integration”

03/40

„Learning German so that integration works well”

More room for integration

Who: KOMM e.V.

Where: Nordstemmen

What: 200-year-old half-timbered house

With what:

Oak shipsdeck

The multigenerational house in Nordstemmen welcomes everyone. The small community near Hildesheim and Hanover has 13,000 inhabitants, and in addition, 130 refugees from all over the world have been living here for two years. For the association, KOMM e.V., there have been many challenges to overcome since then. Kornelia Netenjakob is the chairwoman of the association and coordinates all projects: there is an open meeting place in the community, plus advice and support for senior citizens from all walks of life, and now also language and integration courses for asylum seekers. “What is important is the inclusion in community life, the people must be able to learn German quickly so that integration works well.” Yet the association relies on help for this. Integration courses are indeed partly carried out and funded by the state, but language courses, organisation and all other services provided are the job of Kornelia Netenjakob and her 40 association members – all volunteers. In 2011 KOMM e.V. extended its premises. The purchase of a half-timbered house over 200 years old created urgently needed space for new projects. At the same time it meant another building site for the association, because the “Old Mill” first had to be completely renovated. Parador is supporting the association with a new oak block engineered wood flooring. The modern and robust flooring brightens up the premises and provides a genuine feel-good atmosphere. The central meeting point in the “Old Mill” is the biggest room on the ground floor. Six German courses take place here and even besides the classes, the premises are full of life: children play, adults chat, rummage in the clothing store or have a cup of coffee together. This is how strangers become friends.

Click through the photo gallery and find out more about the project!

130 refugees live in Nordstemmen. So that integration works, various associations work together with KOMM e.V.

KOMM e.V. acts as a meeting place for all generations.

The building at Hauptstr. 48 is one of the last old half-timbered houses in Nordstemmen. The association bought the house in 2011.

The old flooring – broken and uneven.

Parador is supporting the association with a new floor.

Thanks to many volunteer helpers, including refugees, the new flooring was able to be installed quickly and easily.

Building the right house is more time-consuming. During the renovation of the “Old Mill”, refugees lent a hand.

Meeting place for learning and getting to know each other – on a new, modern floor.

The oak block engineered wood flooring is matt lacquered and brings a lot of light to the space.

People learn, talk and integrate on this flooring.

On the timetable today: conjugating verbs

Many lessons are run by volunteers – KOMM e.V. offers six different German courses.

Sarina has just turned two years old and comes from Afghanistan. Her initial shyness soon disappeared on the playground in front of the house.

Kornelia Netenjakob coordinates all projects and over 40 members in the association.